diff --git a/js/background.js b/js/background.js
index 6382f37d1..8d45ee3de 100644
--- a/js/background.js
+++ b/js/background.js
@@ -16,6 +16,13 @@
 
 ;(function() {
     'use strict';
+    if (chrome && chrome.alarms) {
+        chrome.alarms.onAlarm.addListener(function() {
+            // nothing to do.
+        });
+        chrome.alarms.create('awake', {periodInMinutes: 1});
+    }
+
     storage.fetch();
     storage.onready(function() {
         var messageReceiver;
diff --git a/manifest.json b/manifest.json
index af8f0098f..90e98afa6 100644
--- a/manifest.json
+++ b/manifest.json
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@
     "permissions": [
       "unlimitedStorage",
       "notifications",
-      "fileSystem"
+      "fileSystem",
+      "alarms"
     ],
 
     "icons": {